Stehekin, Part 2

DeA has always wondered how relaxing Stehekin would be without the kids. We've never been able to try it, because of the kids, but our 15th anniversary seemed like the right time to dump them with Gma & GPA and take a weekend.

It was pretty smoky when we got there, but we still ventured out on walks.

I don't know why she won't smile for a picture.

I guess that's kind of a smile.

We wanted to climb Mt McGregor our first morning. It's seven miles with about 6500ft of elevation gain. We did about 2.5 miles and realized that we couldn't see nothin' because of the smoke. I convinced her to turn around and to walk somewhere else that wasn't known for its spectacular view.

We ended up walking a trail along the river. It was still smoky, but not as smoky as McGregor.

We took lots of selfies.

DeA read her first book in years, maybe since before the kids were born. She said it wasn't worth it.

The smoke was a little better the second day, but still not super awesome. McGregor would have to wait for another trip.

We hiked out to Bridge Creek Campground, about six miles round trip.

DeA read on the sign that bears were active in the area, and to make yourself look big and make noise to not alarm the bears. She hiked most of the way like this, saying "I'm big, I'm big, I'm BIG!"

Thankfully the bears left us alone, and we made it back to the Ranch. DeA wasn't done being active, and she wanted to ride bikes to the Bakery. She didn't want to cheat and use the E-Bikes, we rode the whole way on our leg power.

It turned out to be more than she wanted, we did over 17 miles round-trip and most the return was uphill. The leg power was gone. 

We had a fun ride to the boat the next morning. DeA looked spectacular as always. 

There was a crazy "massage therapist" that was hiking the PCT. He wore only a dirty white bath robe, had his dread locked hair in a manbun and talked like Rissa Turd on speed. I'm pretty sure that the bus driver "forgot" him at the bakery on purpose. 

It was a fun, relaxing anniversary trip. Everything is better with DeA

We made home and got DeA back to where she belongs, in the kitchen and making me dinner.